Exploring Life & Business with Kelli Blinn

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelli Blinn.  

Hi Kelli, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. I’m married to my best friend. 

I have the gift of two beautiful children calling me Mama. 

From the age of 10, I’ve been completely fascinated by all things related to pregnancy, birth, and the female body. Becoming a mother, myself was the catalyst I needed to push me to chase after my long-held interests and turn my passions into a career. This work will never grow old. It is an honor to get to partner with families during what is often the most powerful life change they will ever encounter. 

My transition into motherhood did not start off the way I had hoped. I struggled. I lacked the support that I needed (but didn’t know that I needed it until after the fact). Amidst the joys and delights of parenthood, I also experienced low times and lots of frustrations. Over time I realized that if that was my reality, it probably was for other people too. Thus began my journey of helping other mamas, families, and babies. 

If I can offer the emotional support that someone needs to get through a tough moment or if I can boost someone’s confidence about what is already going well, I’m thrilled! Maybe I’ll be able to share my knowledge and expertise that will prevent another person from walking down the same road that I did in the beginning. Maybe that person will be y-o-u! 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The maternal mortality rate in the state of Ohio is a major challenge that breaks my heart, as is the rate of infant mortality in our state. I wish that doula support was covered by insurance so that every birthing person and their family could benefit from the evidence-based care of a doula throughout their journey. I also wish there was funding to make the services that I provide more accessible to everyone who wants to hire me. I’ve included a link below for the Community Care Fund I set up a few months ago to help gather funds for future clients in need. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Your guide for the journey of pregnancy, birth, and your baby’s first year, I help families in many different capacities. I am both a labor and postpartum doula in addition to being an infant feeding specialist. I teach a variety of classes specific to childbirth education, infant feeding, and newborn care. I’m an Ohio-certified Peer Recovery Specialist with nearly three years of peer mentoring, support group facilitating, and support line management for clients in the perinatal period. 

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.kelliblinn.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doulakelliblinn/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doulakelliblinn/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/doulakelliblinn/
• Other: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=DU5YM7ERYAYF6

Image Credits
Colleen Murtha Photography
Megan Leigh Barnard
Andrea Hoppel